Economic Prosperity

Information
Mayor Wheeler inside a shop downtown

"I value the creation and nurturing of a vibrant community where economic prosperity is shared by everyone," -Mayor Wheeler


FY22-23 Budget

The pandemic has not impacted local businesses equally. Some small businesses have seen an increase in revenue over the past few months, while others continue to face challenges and the economy continues to progress slowly and with uncertainty.  

This budget continues to support economic recovery and the promotion of small and minority-owned emerging businesses. The budget also invests in cultural and affinity group organizations to provide assistance with marketing, capacity building, technical/professional services, activation and re-tenanting, and re-careering the workforce. 

FY22-23 Proposed Budget - Economic Recovery

Spring BMP

During the 2022 Spring Budget Monitoring Process, City Council approved a one-time investment ($500,000) for small businesses and food carts that are predominantly run by Black, Indigenous, people of color, and LGBTQ+ business owners citywide. Utilizing the Kuto app program, which received positive feedback from small business owners and partners when piloted last year, Portlanders will be able to support small businesses to help them retain greater profits by paying a flat fee (instead of fees for individual transactions).

Funding for was also approved for Signature Summer Community Events: ($435,000) to support the operations and marketing of summer events including the Rose Festival, Blues Festival, Juneteenth, Pedalpalooza and more.


Programs

With the City of Portland continuing to grow at an unprecedented rate, the Mayor is working to close the wealth gap between lower-income and middle-income families. He does this through collaboration with Prosper Portland, one of the bureaus under his purview that focuses on building and strengthening an equitable economy. The bureau works with public, private and community partners to deliver on strategic objectives, initiatives, projects and programs designed to benefit all Portlanders.

He also spear-headed the launch of Portland Means Progress with an unprecedented coalition of more than a dozen business and multicultural organizations. Portland Means Progress will enable local companies with three to 23,000 employees to grow and to help Portland grow more equitably by:

  • Committing to pay employees a minimum of $15 per hour
  • Creating internship and job opportunities for underrepresented youth
  • Increasing purchasing from diverse businesses
  • Changing business culture to be more inclusive

Mayor Wheeler also helped spearhead Here For Portland, a campaign designed to help local businesses succeed as we all recover from COVID-19.

Economic Relief Partners

We’re all in this together, so we’re working together with partners from all over the region and state to ensure economic and social resilience and recovery. The City of Portland thanks its partners who are helping everyone in our community get through this crisis.

State of Oregon| COVID-19 Resources

Metro | COVID-19 Resources

Multnomah County | COVID-19 Resources

City of Gresham | COVID-19 Resources

City of Beaverton | COVID-19 Resources

City of Hillsboro | COVID-19 Resources

City of Lake Oswego | COVID-19 Resources

City of Eugene | COVID-19 Resources

Prosper Portland

Greater Portland Inc

Business for a Better Portland (BBP)

Portland Business Alliance (PBA)

Venture Portland

Travel Portland

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC)

The Black American Chamber of Commerce (BACC)

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (PACCO)

Oregon Native American Chamber (ONACC)

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC)

Technology Association of Oregon (TAO)